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Extensions for Phillips, Cordero?

Reds talk with reps for second baseman, closer.

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By John Fay, The Cincinnati Enquirer 11:06 PM Tuesday, September 27, 2011

NEW YORK — The Cincinnati Reds made some progress with their two big-ticket players about to go into their contract option years.

Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty and Brandon Phillips’ agents met here Tuesday to talk about a contract extension for Phillips.

Jocketty also made it sound like the Reds are close to a new deal with closer Francisco Cordero.

On Phillips, Jocketty said: “It went fine. We had talked a little bit in the past. It was more a kind of guidelines of what we’re trying to do. Once the season is over, we’ll talk again. We kind of stated our position and they stated theirs. We’ll see if we can come up with a middle ground somewhere. If nothing, like we did with Bronson (Arroyo), we’ll exercise the option and keep working on it.”

Phillips has a $12 million club option for 2012.

“I’m glad they at least talked,” Phillips said. “It makes me feel better, even though it took them until the second to last game of the season. It is what it is. As long as they talk, it makes me feel good. I’m hopeful that they get something done.

“This is where I want to be. The Reds gave me a second chance. I took advantage of it. I’m hopeful that they’ll show me they want me to stay here.

“I’m not trying to break the bank. I just want to be paid like the other second basemen in this game. That’s all I can really ask for. I feel like I’m one of the best second baseman in the game. I want to at least get seen like that and paid for it, also.”

Therein lies the potential trouble.

The Atlanta Braves signed second baseman Dan Uggla to a five-year, $62 million deal in the offseason. The Reds can probably accommodate Phillips’ $12 million salary in 2012. It will become more difficult in 2013 when Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto and Jay Bruce go from making a combined $19.9 million to a combined $31.9 million.

Phillips, 30, has had a terrific year. He went into Tuesday’s game hitting .300 with 18 homes runs, 82 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He’s also played Gold Glove-caliber defense again.

On Cordero, Jocketty said: “We’re just waiting more for them to get back to us. I’m more optimistic something will get done there in the near future just because we’ve made more progress.”

The Reds also hold a $12 million option on Cordero. The Reds and Cordero are talking about a possible two-year deal.

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